STEVEN Caldwell is certain that Blues are ready for crunch time in the Championship.

And the vice-captain says that despite the team’s current troubles, it’s all about embracing the promotion challenge and pressure.

Caldwell is sure that Blues will pick up again and be competing for a passport to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough visit St Andrew’s tomorrow in a vital match. They are four places and three points ahead of Blues in the table.

Chris Hughton says it’s just the kind of test Blues need on the back of the defeat at Leicester City.

“They are all really high profile games now but I understand what’s meant,” commented Caldwell.

“If we win we jump right up next to them, if they win they go six points clear. Obviously – I hate using the cliché – it’s a six-pointer. It’s a really big game when you play teams around you.

“I’ve noticed the fixtures, there seem to be a lot of these games coming up and we have Cardiff, West Ham, Brighton, Reading – they are going to be crucial, no doubt about it.

“It’s about enjoying it, embracing the challenge and the pressure because it’s the only thing you will remember at the end - the exciting times, the big games, the high profile, volatile atmospheres and that.

“That’s why we play, that’s why we have worked so hard to put ourselves in this position and success is still a great possibility.

“I know the top two seems like it’s beyond us, but it’s still possible because if you go on some kind of run - and we’ve been on runs this season - you can still achieve it.

“We can’t be disheartened at the moment, but we have to be aware that this is crunch time, it’s time to start winning games consistently.”

The vice-captain says Blues still possess the qualities to succeed, and must stay mentally strong as they head into their 50th fixture of the campaign tomorrow.

“Our quality is still there and we know if we are not playing up to the incredibly high standards we have set then we won’t get the results.

“We’re very focused and committed to getting back on track. Saturday a very big game for us.

“It’s a difficult one to pinpoint why we’re in this spell at the moment especially when you’re involved, as a player or coach, it’s difficult to step back and see a problem.

“Obviously the continuity has changed a little bit in terms of injuries and whatever.

“It can cause problems when that happens but sometimes I think that everything is governed by whether you win or lose.

“Everybody is maybe saying ‘oh you look tired’ but we never looked tired before or felt tired but and get a couple of bad results and it’s easy to feel sorry for yourself and get down.

“Everybody just has to be mentally strong and remember how fit and good we are when we do things right.

“It’s through no lack of effort that we’ve not won the last four games.

“Nothing has dropped in that case, nobody takes anything for granted. If you keep doing things you are good at then you start winning games again.”

As an experienced hand, Caldwell will be required to come to the fore these last six weeks.

“Yes, these players need to step up to the plate, myself being one of them, and help people as much as you can. And basically perform, that’s the biggest thing.

“I just think it’s about effort and mental attitude. Sometimes you are not playing so great, sometimes you are playing amazing and everything is easy. But you have just got to keep bringing that same focus and determination to the game.

“If you do that I think that, when all’s said and done, the better teams end up at top and we consider ourselves one of the better teams, and it’s now time to stop the talking and improve on the park.”